Camden Park: Explosion at Anzac Hwy unit block
Police say it is lucky no one was killed after a suspected clandestine drug laboratory exploded at an Anzac Hwy block of units early Friday morning, injuring two people.
Police & Courts
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A man and a woman have been injured after an explosion in the bathroom of a Camden Park unit.
The 36-year-old Camden Park woman and the 46-year-old Oaklands Park man are being treated for burns at the Royal AdelaideHospital.
The man is in a serious condition – neighbours said the man had skin peeling off his arms – while the woman has minor injuries.However their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Both have been arrested and will be interviewed by police when possible.
Emergency services crews were called to the block of units on Anzac Hwy about 5:30am after local residents reported hearinga loud bang.
Police say there was an explosion in the bathroom of the second storey unit and residents from the other units were evacuatedas a precaution.
There are suggestions it was some kind of chemical explosion and police have confirmed they are investigating if it was causedby a clandestine drug laboratory.
Detective Chief Inspector Scott Fitzgerald said the explosion damaged the building’s structure, causing bricks to blow outof the walls, and it was lucky no one was killed.
He said the injured residents told officers that a stranger was in the bathroom when the incident happened.
“The occupants of the unit who are currently in hospital reported to us a third person was in the unit. That third personwas unknown to them, is what they claim,” he said.
“And that person was doing stuff in the bathroom that led to the explosion”
“We are currently investigating that claim, however, at this stage no other person has reported a burn or injury.”
One of the block’s residents, Elaine, who wished to only use her first name, said there were frequent problems at the flats.
“The units behind are always causing trouble,” she said.
“I’ve lived here 12 years and there’s always trouble.
“All I heard was an explosion noise like a whoosh. I went outside and the house down the end was all cracked down the side.”
Peter Jarre, another occupant of the same block of units, said he woke to the sound of a bang, then a fire alarm and the smellof smoke.
Mr Jarre said suggestions the explosion was caused by chemicals was worrying.
“That doesn’t seem like an accident to me”
He said people were lucky to be alive.
Another resident, Chareu Gupta, said she heard a noise in the early hours of the morning too.
“I just heard a noise like a boom and my neighbour said, ‘come outside’.”
Cindy Hoppo, who lives in a unit near the crime scene, said she wasn’t surprised by what happened and previously had beenchased with a knife.
“It doesn’t surprise me at all really.”
Neighbours have been told they may have to be rehoused.
Det Ch Insp Fitzgerald said police were working with the fire service and Housing Trust to make sure the units were safe.Until the unit is deemed structurally safe, investigators cannot enter the building.
“Clandestine drug laboratories in our neighbourhoods are very dangerous and the explosion we saw today we believe is a resultof that,” he said.
“We ask anyone with information on clandestine drug labs or the comings and goings of people at random hours of the night(in the units) ... to report to Crime Stoppers.”
You can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online.
One lane of eastbound traffic on Anzac Highway is closed but two lanes remain open. Police ask motorists to take care whentravelling past emergency workers and the scene.